The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1887-11-11


opinion it was he who turned out in
1860 and stood by his opinion then and
during the succeeding years. Every
party except Anarchism was represent
ed at st. Louis A member of the G.. A.
r. would no more talk politics within
the precincts Of his post than he would
in church or at a death bed. The
speaker believed that the veterans were
all loyal, as were also the men who
fought them and that those who talk
about their disloyalty are the ones who
didn't do much fighting.
We live in a country surrounded by
prosperity never seen before in the
worlds history, country representing
all nationalities, creeds and civilizations,
where all are equal. The idea that
triumphed at Gettysburg, the teaching
of man the value of his manhood and of
woman the value of her womanhood,
could nowhere be seen like here. The
bubble of republican government was
not burst during the war, as Europe ex-
pected, but now stands so cemented
that no five nations dare measure swords
with us. No such victory for humanity
was ever won, no such progress was
ever achieved. 1t was the heroic age of
the republic. We wrote history then not
for the present only but for the ages to
come.
We like to go back and talk about
those years and teach them to the ris-
ing generation that it may cherish the
memory of these victories. The letters
dropped from 20,OOO,OOO Russian scrfs
soon after the shackles fell from the A.
900 slaves. We have taught the
world that government OF the people
is the strongest. We have settled an in
ternational dispute by arbitration since
the war. The time is fast approaching
when this country will be the arblter of
nations and kings.
Between the G. A. r. and the surviv-
ors of the confederacy exists friendly
feeling and no other organization in the
North is held i'm such reverence in the
South. They believe that we were right
and rejoice in our success. 1t is mis-
taken view to think that the &. A. r.
had ever done aught to maintain bitter
ness of feeling between the sections.
The speaker bespoke active work from
Wilkin Post for all the old comrades
who are not members. He spoke Of the
growth of the organization and of the
good it is accomplishing and referred to
the establishment of Soldiers Home
in Minnesota as one of its accomplish
ments. So long as the demands of the
q. A. X. were reasonable the American
people would grant them as the great
heart of that people still beats true to its
defenders.
The speaker then paid tribute to the
American mothers who did the suffer-
ing while the soldiers were doing the
fighting. The soldiers hours of peril
were few, but the mothers hours of
anguish were continuous. From the
loyal hearts of million mothers who
loved their country and liberty came
the inspiration to the army.
The speaker hoped that Wilkin Post
would continue to grow and urged the
citizens of Mankato to stand by it.
At the conclusion of Judge Rea's elo-
quent and instructive remarks, the au-
dience was informed of the banquet
which was awaiting them IN the room
below and none were slow in making
their way in that direction. Two tables
reaching the entire length of the long
room were filed with tempting lay out
of oysters, coffee, doughnuts, cakes,
salads, celery, etc, etc. The tables
were several times re-filled before all
had been served. The ladies of the city
who had charge of this part of the en-
tertainment certainly left nothing I'M
done and The banquet was great and
"filling" success.
At the conclusion of the banquet
toasts were in order, DR.. Jacoby acting
as toast-master.
Judge Severance responded to "The
Mission of the Grand Army of the Re-
- ii xlxat, &C.
duty to plant the flag on every rebel
there. 1t had thrown aside its armor
when the sacrifice was ended and re-
ceived the mission to go out among the
people and practice universal peace.
The speaker pictured army life and the
causes that cemented the brotherhood
of the veterans-a unity that had no
equal OH earth. 1t was the mission of
the G. A. r. to see that no vital interest
of this country ever floats away on the
tide of political expedients. 1t was their
mission to oppose unlimited immigra-
ton of the ferocious elements ofsociety.
He believed in changing a certain quo
tation to "Nurse not tigers whelps
within thy walls, but if brought up there,
whelpsv" (Applause). The chief mis-
cord between the sections.
"Our own Commander-in-Chief-J. A.
Rea" was fittingly responded to by Col.
VIM. Thomas who knew Judge Rea as
boy and mentioned an amusing incident
in his life, of which he gave an outline.
Judge Rea presented his side of the
toast in a short bu. eloquent speech.
He thought that the G.. A. r was true to
the missions pictured by Judge Sever
ance, true to the great army ofthe dead,
and true to that which is just and right
in all Things, not partisans but true to
the principle which says that purity in
politics is necessary; the enemy of
everything that would break down the
precept, loyalty and patriotism were
taught to those around them. He be-
leve that all the influx of pernicious
European ideas could be thrown off,
and he saw, in the country's future, the
grandest panorama of natural life the
| world ever looked upon, the continent
peopled by all nationalities. He believ-
| ed that the love of union and patriotism
was in the hearts of all the people and
that the country was safe. He referred
to Capt. James Cannon as being the
| first man in Mankato to put on the blue
| when the war broke out.
Gen. j. II. Baker responded to the
toast "The ladies-mothers, wives, Wild
ows, sweethearts and daughters of the
veterans of the late war;" The speaker,
in his usual pleasing and gallant man
ner paid glowing tribute to the ladies
in general and especially to the mothers
who sent sons to the war. He spoke of
them as a race of Cornelias who gave
race of soldiers never vet equaled on
earth. The women of this country had
seized on each point ofexcellence in the
characters of the women of all other ma
tons and had consolidated them into
their own nature and stamped them
with the excellence of their own char
acter.
This closed the exercises of this de-
lightful occasion and every one took
home with him pleasant memories of an
evening most pleasantly and profitably
spent.
NOTES.
The choir which furnished the excel
lent music was composed of Messrs.
Haynes and Washburn, Mrs. Swami and
Miss Hale, Miss Arietta Wagner presid-
ing at the piano.
Judge Rea made most favorable inn
preston upon the audience, and his
nervous, earnest style of delivery gave
emphasis to his remarks. He Is one of
the ablest commanders the Grand Army
has had.
] Not little credit is due to DIR. Jacoby
1 Al II. r. Al.